UK travellers look to Portugal as Wizz Air opens links from Luton to Lisbon as competition Ryanair stays grounded

UK travellers look to Portugal as Wizz Air opens links from Luton to Lisbon as competition Ryanair stays grounded.

LOW-COST airline Wizz Air has announced plans to resume flights from London’s Luton Airport to Lisbon and a number of other European destinations from next Friday.

With UK government advice still against any non-essential foreign travel Wizz Air’s decision is being seen as a way of ‘getting ahead of competitors easyJet and Ryanair. easyJet’s fleet is grounded, while Ryanair is running only a skeleton service between London and Ireland. Ryanair’s CEO Michael O’Leary has also condemned any return to regular schedules using social distancing measures as “idiotic,” as the company won’t be able to make a profit.

However, Wizz Air appears to be totally ready for social distancing and will be operating under strict rules from the start.
Managing director Owain Jones has said: “As we restart selected Luton flights to provide an essential service to passengers who need to travel, our primary concern is the health, safety and well-being of our customers and crew.”

Customers will be asked to check-in and make any additional payments for services online to reduce physical interaction at the airport, stress reports. They will also be “encouraged” to make any onboard purchases using contactless payment methods.

Cabin crew “will be required to wear masks and gloves on all flights and will distribute sanitising wipes for passengers,” while all aircraft used will be disinfected overnight.

Although this might indicate a great escape to some UK holidaymakers it must be remembered that UK passengers who do not have an urgent need to travel will not be able to reach Luton airport under current lockdown restrictions.